The Lancaster ledger. (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, February 15, 1854, Image 1
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NEUTRAL IN POLITICS?DEVOTED TO LITERARY, COMMERCIAL, AGRICULTURAL, SCIENTIFIC, GENERAL AND LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
VOLUME III LANCASTER, U. II, SOUTH CAROLINA, WEDNESDAY MORNING,FEBRUARY 15,1851 NUMBER 1.
. , , I of his windows. If they were removed lie | Walt to lose no time in eloping from tho I llarrv lx>f?nn I.;. ?:?? w?i._:n- ?1 *
^Hltt dVimttrrl 5\fnrtt I ?....???
V tyi)
WRITTEN EXPRESSLY FOR 1
ALMETTA1
THE MAID 0
on
' G A r T 1 1
THE ROBBER OF T
A ROMANCE OF T
I?Y WILLIAM C1.I
AUTHOR or M'SCKLI.A *EQUS POKHs fl
jecting peak, there in .1 alight declivity 1
with indentations, similar to steps, where (
0110 may by holding to the laurel and >
other shrub*, go down. Metlio being accu
Atonic I to the rugged aides of t lie nioun- |
tains, wished to show the company how j
regardless she was of the danger of clam- t
Wring over tho rough heap. In going r
down the steps just described, the shrub j
give way ; she reeled forward and fell ten |
or twelvo feet, where luckily for her, ? r.
c!iff projected far enough to save her from t
the liorritl d iatli which threatened beneath. ?
fjhe utteied a shriek as she fell, which being
heard by a youth of the company, he
ran instantly to the edge of the rock, and t
seeing tho strange young l.uly in her perilous
situation, told Iter .0 W quiet and he
would soon give Iter his assistance. It f
seemed i in possible for any one to approach j
ber, yet he asserted that ho could save her j
if she could only be still a fi w minutes,
lie ran back to tin* carriage two or three j
hundred paces distant and brought the (
lines and other strong straps, by means of
wliicb, she iniglil be drawn up ; but some ^
of the company told ber not to risk herself
with these tackling; that it was bet- ^
ter to wait until strong ropes could l?e
Itroilirlil ami tliim nli? iniwlil Im nuf.iln
n? """ ""6"* "" "",v7 1 ^
cued from (lie dreadful place. The youth,
however, hud confidence i" his ow n plan, ^
lie tied the lines to an adjacent tree, and
tints let himself down to the j?oint where
she hud fallen. Seeing that the sira|? *
Itore the weight of n man, *he availed her- V
self of the proffered help and w as taken ?
up to the top of tlio roek. Upon cxatni- ?
nation she was found to he considerably *
hruiscd, though no fracture was discovered.
Kite was immediately conveyed to 1
the enrriage. While she was supported *
by those who carried her, a dizziness came '
over her, the blood soctncd to rush hack 1
to her heart, and before Utcy could get ber '
to lite spot where they wished to place 11
her, the tender sufferer sank in a swoon, i '
from which she did not recover, effectu- 1
ally during the evening. *
t
s
CUAFTER XII. f
TIIK KOCH IIOISB IS A It A X DO N" Kl>.?TIIK T
mol'ntainkkk rksoi.vk8 to vlrilt wai.
tkh. assists him to f.rcafk.
The Rock House was now ahanJtncd:
the company had become disorganized,
and each one had gone to his own home.
The Mountaineer having passed Ids term
in tliih clan, as whs olwerved, did not now
belong it, ami therefore was not materially
affected by the dissolution. Vet he
wan bound by every obligation of honor
to release Watt from lib toilsome iinpris
omnent; he would have been at the trial
but an unavoidable absence prevented his
timely attendance. Various plans tug
geated themselves to his inventive mind,
yet ho was irresolute ; he fear d he might
land the chains more hopeleaaly around
lit* unfortunate nllr, and thereforo heaiia- '
ted to adopt any mode. At one time, lie i
Would persuade hi?ii*oir to commit aonie i
trivial ojxmi oiVence in order to get in the I
prison with Welt, to a* to form miii? plan I
of eaeapa; again his irresolution would '
check him, with the thought, that mi. h a '
course would be of no eeeentiitl service U> <
either, Uvuioe, however digl.t the offence, I
the eonfiiiMtu-oi iir the Penitentiary, war t
wot, tor a period. See* loan two \ear?: he <
ttofdbr* con Id hot ivyjillv ?rt wit l>ctf>r? I
buCnjdiiHi, *n4 bwi/b* tb?a, he ,n?ghi not i
U? prmiiurd u.*)*ftk with him, i/he were <
I ** ?? Uow*r?r, after aUd/mg ov?r th* I
^ ,
*
fwriitfTf*"! dWManllt rAnrnifcp KSL1 dSna.* r*-- -vwf,>-yt
uuv gfUUU.
HE "LANCASTER LEDGER.
MEADOWS,
F WATAUGA.
II AT T,
HE ROCK HOUSE.
HE BLUE-RIDGE.
NTO.M CASTON.
?oek tiie sk.watcre of ktiwam."
matter, tor a day or so, ho resolved to visit
lite (dace, and if it were possible to learn
K>ii>i-Uiing coti ?. ning Watt.
It was late in the night. The noisy
tUAtle of the Pandemonium was hushed
nto a gloomy and solemn calm; the rat
ling of machinery, the ringing of hamtiers,
wore all still; while Watt, alone,
n his narrow chaml*r, after a hard day's
abor at the turning lathe, lying full length
>n his iron framed l?cdstead, in a state be ween
Bleep ami stupor, was suddenly
trotised by the shrill hawk-scream.
44 By Jleaven ! the Mountaineer," exlaiincd
the toil worn convict, "lie is
done; lie chirped only once; lie cannot
ome here, but I must answer hint.*
The stupor partly forsook the newly
iwakeiieJ man, and the lirst thought was
iow he could answer him, it occurred to
lint that his hoot licet rap|>ed against the
'rating of the window, might perchance
mitate their signal siitliciently to be unlerstood,
the faithful Kuryalu*, caught the
ound, and instantly as loud as his lungs
erinit'cd shouted " Hock House."
Watt would hare replied, but bo knew
le was under a strict watch, and \v? uld
lot aggravate his ca?e by any act of disirder.
He crept back to his liar I bed,
ally assured that his room was now known
>y his friei.d.
441 will, however," ssvs he,44 attach this
ash, the emblem of inv authority, to the
vindow tli:?t lie may be the more certain
f my lodgings; no other hope can I have
i seeing him. I may escape yet from the
trong arm of the law."
lie rolled and tossed through the renainder
of the night, di*turl>ed at inter als,
by hideous dreams of failure in ntempting
to escane, and ever and anon,
he image of the lonely Maid of Watauga
lilted through bis phreiizicd brain seemngly
to add despair to his already jaded
acuities. There was no sleep for him,
he hours hung heavily over him, ami
ven the ringing of the prison bell, calling
he inmates to labor, seemed to be a ropite
from (he gnlling pangs that destroyd
his rest.
Persons are jiermitted to visit tho intoior
of tho Penitentiary, yet are not allow
n! to speak to any of the inmates. The
Mountaineer knew very well, it was safest
ot to enter within the walls, localise he
ould not benefit his friend by merely reeng
him, and it would naturally chafe his
latience, to pass through, debarred of the
privilege of taking his hand or of even
peaking.
On the next morning, impelled by sympathy,
he visited the spot where his friend
vas confined, and his keen eves verv s/wm
r ? / / |
Uncovered from the window the red scarf.
"That must be Walt's window," he
mi tiered to himself, "so much for that
iiscovery; the hawk must cry again."
riiua speaking, he drew from his pocket
[be familiar little key, and gave a long,
iwtlling whistle, such at the hawk utters
when alio finds her nest ami young dettroyed.
Watt heard it, but could not
*ply, be knew the Mountaineer had seen
[lis ararf, and bad certainly recognized it,
ror l?e wore one of the same kind. He
?ae satisfied now, he was not forgotten by
lis old friend, but waa rather an object of
'eep concern. lie fell reviving within
liiu a faint hope of wespe. lie viewed
;he wall from top to bottom, and with his
?ye measured the lu ight of his window,
[jut the groM iron grating chilled hi* ad;icip?tioii?.
Suppoee that the Mountainr?r
con:(I got within th? wall, how vrouhl
lie ever brwk through ifco powerful bur*
sel hi f
wuiu lurww mmaeir irom the window to
the earth, if nothing could be produced to
let him down; tho g?*ate must be removed,
he could never have egress by tho
door, for there stands a musket, with a
fury at the trigger, ready to shoot a mouse,
if one should stir near tho stairway.
A. few weeks after, he heard tho signal
the first time. Tie was again aroused by
the same well known sound; it was night 1
and Watt was locked safely in his cell, 1
yet he could now give his friond a better '
idea of his r?>otn than before; he had ac '
cidentally found a match in the yard which 1
was dropped by one of the keepers while 1
lighting his pipe, this lie saved until !.?? '
required the use of it, f.?r he fondly belicv- 1
fr? that tHo Mountaineer would attempt to 1
rescue him, and true enough the signal '
again sainted his oar. Walter itnmcdi- 1
ately lighted his match, and held it, so it !
shone on his fare. The Mountaineer sco
ing his face in the window, was satisfied '
there whs no uistake; lie had furnished
hintself willi a ladder, from an engine
house, which he softly placed against the '
wall, ascended slowly to the top, and lis- '
toning attentively, drew it up, and with '
the utmost care let it down in the inside, 1
he descended with tho utmost caution to
the ground, then removed it to the window,
resolved to sec Wa't or die; the lad
dor was long enough to let his head even 1
with the window sill. Watt's heart boat 1
violently with agitation, at the daring of '
his friend, yet he kept silent until ho heard
the whisper at the window :
" Watt are you right ?"
" Ye*," was the reply. " Be quick,
i....-I, ,, via! ot nitric aeiJ, an<1 a tuaco of
well tried pistols, can you conceal them!"
" Very easily," replied the prisoner.
" You know how to use them; I can't
tarry long?a dog growls?on the night
after to-morrow I'll come again, be ready,
adieu.
' Farewell," groaned tho impatient Cap- j
tain. II?? remained at tho window to lis- ]
ten if the Mountaineer passed safely over |
the wall, lie heard him as he leaped <>n (
mi- <rn#uiiii on me oiiimoo. i lie tioiso lie |
made was heard by tlie large dog, that ,
growled as lie entered, but now being ,
aroused he rushed fuiionsiy to the spot |
whence the noise issued, lie was too late;
the daring robber was fairly over the wall
and was moving oft' with his ladder to
conceal it until the appointed time. While
the dog was barking, Watt distinctly heard
the door bolt of the lower story slip hack.
The dog ceased barking, and the dorr was
again beard to slide to its proper place.
After bis agitation had ceased, and his
breathing became more free, he began
thus to himself:
"Now for liberty or immediate death.
I'll try this chcmi/nl, on the chalybeate
properties of the window, and if corrosion
is one half as rapid as my blood, I'll make
an aperture here to produce a vacuum,
for my final egress."
While bis mind was thus engaged, bo
was busy in preparing u shred of yarn
from his blanket, which hu tied around
the bar, in such a manner as to escape
notice, the pistols he deposited in one boot
and thoviul in theother. lIi?boots were
*>f no other service to him there, for he liad
a heavy pair of bmgatH to wear while at
work.
iie laid himself down once again to
sleep, with tho assurance thnt two days
more would end his toil in the wretched
building, when like an un raged bird, he.
would fly to the arms of his beloved Almetta,
nor was he disnp]>ointed. At the
appointed hour, his trusty friend was at
his post, he had left two fleet horses in an
adjacent thicket, and getting tho ladder,
which ho had safely hid, he advanced
softly to tho wall to perform a task that
seemed to l>o enjoined by the moat sacred
obligation of honor. It was by his instigation
that Watt became a robber, and
hv hf? advice nuiiidivl t)i? ti?m? V...
traj'ed hiin into tin* difficulty, and he now
determined to relieve hie conscience by liberating
hi* brother outlaw.
Wh?-ii lie reached the window, ho found
Watt engaged in trying to wrench the Corroded
bar, which whi too great a job for
hi* waning strength.
After exchanging salutation*, in \fhi*|K>r?,
the MouaUiiieer told him to push,
while he pulled, but to their mortification,
thoy found it would not fall on the outside.
it necessarily would fall within the
chamber, end tiro noise thtw crented wouki
be hoard by tire tdeophw# guard nt the
i?lniroa*<\ The enfttiou* Mouutaiifter told
V ,
I-_ ? yf* . ^ , At .
window, after the bar had fallen. With f
a simultaneous effort they thrust the bar- c
rier from its place which fell with a lum- e
bering noise on the floor. Watt with the t
speed of thought leaped through the aoer- o.
tare thus formed, and was soon on term p
firnut. The two then hastily seized the t
ladder and placed it against the wall, ii
Watt ascended first, his companion being s
the stronger of the two remained in the s
rear to hoist the ladder over, lie had a
barely reached the third round when the c
huge dog seized him by the leg, and was h
in the act of pulling him back; he could >
not readily get at his knife, but he drew a
Ins pistol w hich was most convenient, and t!
[ laced it near the dog's head, discharging u
ts contents into his skull. The falling of g
die bar, and the report of the pistol followed
so near each other that the keepers j
icarcely knew where to look for the noise. ],
I'lio confusion produced, enabled the fugi- |]
Lives to gain their horses unmolested. No
sooner had they reached them, than they j,
were on the road to the borders of the t|
jld North State. The watchmen hurried f,
to Watt's room and finding it vacated, n
they rushed down the stairway exclaim- v
ing. a
"Hill Fletcher's gone; stop him! stop
liiin!" ,
b
It was too late, they tlien searched ^
around the wall, until they found the lad- ^
tier, and the lifeless body of their faithful
Jog. s
it
r<
CHAPTER XIII. U
h
TF.ll'tt COCHIN.?1IR IXFOllMED IlKIl WHY r'
WALTKK pin NOT COME. SIIK SENDS HIM n
TO LEAKS' 80MKTIIINU MOIIK CONCKKN- r
ISO 1118 FATK. UK MEETS WALTER. l'
\Vk left Mcttie, in a stnlo of inscnsibil- .
itv, occasioned l?v tlic unlucky fall at the
II
Blowing Hock. After she was carried to
:be vehicle, restoratives were applied, and
die solicitude of the party was relieved
l)V her gradual recovery. Her mind scemad
to be chained to one living object alone, ^
and the tirst words that broke from hor M
lips was, "lias Walter not come yet; "
what can cause his delay f "
The young gentleman who had so w
bravely rescued the unfortunate maiden, n
was the cousin of Captain Watt. Upon l'
hearing the name of his cousin, he quickly
asked her if it wore Walter Van Ilcndrick, ^
whom she expected. ft
She replied, " Yes sir, do you know
him." ll
" Indeed, Miss, he is my cousin and by J
his rashness, is now in the Penitentiary in *'
Tennessee." "
"My Walter in prison!" shrieked the
astounded Mottie, " what has he done ?" ''
" I know not," was the answer.
" He sent a letter to his father request- ''
ing him to cotiio and see him that he 11
would crnvo his pardon for his misconduct, I1
provided he would consent to his union "
with a young lad v at Valley Cruris, whom ''
he styled the Maid of Watauga."
"Mr Waller is true, thanks to Heaven, "
I " ? . ... -
no- may como yei. mil in the I'enitentiftiy,
oh, horrid new* !" In uttering this ''
she relapsed into her former stupor, and
remained silent 'luring their journey homo- li
ward, only breaking the silence by oeca- k
hional sol>s lb t her debility eouid not re- h
strain. The youth, whoso namo was c
Harry, would not have related the condi- ii
tion of his cousin, bad lie la?en apprised n
of the eft'oct which it had on the fair suf- a
ferer. Mr. Hollers invited hiin to accom- h
pany thorn home and spend a week a' I
the Vftlley. II ? eplod the invitation t
witli pleasure. lie waa a youth of a viva- <
cious turn, an i w.u a iit companion for v
Mia* Alineita in tne absence of hor iii-fa* '
ted lover.
He pledged himself to visit Na.->hville c
and learn what he could concerning the I
confinement of S\ alter, ami if he made *
discovery, at *11 encouraging, lie assured t
the bereave I Mottie, that he would write. ?
The young ludy could not believe Walter "
wss imprisoned for any fault of hi* own, i
hi* loss of liberty waa more a subicct of i
m
thought than the idea of hi* guilt. She
had not jot learned that he waa a leader
ill' perpeiratl ig dark decda of rapine and
under, and therefore only knew him a*
the accomplished aultor. She loved him
dearly, nor w.is the ardor of Her gjTectione
pooled by the new* of bin imprisonment;
be re* >lved to el aim liiat ?ti!f, if ho ?*er
returned,
#
4 ?S 4
n-i j V | ijfcf JA , ?%v
j ? ?.. .j* J.1IMUVIII';, will llOll
eelings somewhat piqued at the reflection cou
?f a kinsman being in tlio unhallowed cells Ilai
a I'andcmouium, yet his natural aflec- told
ions overruled his pride, and he continu- thai
d the journey however unpleasant it ap- ful
>eared to lie, he had not proceeded more whc
ban two days on the road, when entering Hoi
uto a straight thoroughway, or avenue he cun
aw two horsemen approaching with the Wa
peed of lightning. He was struck with his
stonishment at flrst, but as soon as they step
ame near enough to define their features bein
e recognized his cousin Walter; the he
lountaineer he had never seen before, in I
nd of course was an utter stranger. While he c
hcy_were in the act of passii.g, he reined \
p and hailed Waltor in the following Inn- in t
uagc: of t
" My cousin Walter, can it be possible ntilc
see you, why do you ride so fast ? Je- toftl
u's speed is but a snail's pace, to your l"rMo
ying gait." a foi
"No time for salutes now, Ilarrv," relit*]
Walter, "let us hurry until we cross wliil
io line ntid you can hear all; this is the pvf
)urih horse, that I have jailed, ami I am L>?ril
early exhausted myself. Come, turn plut
our horse with all speed. Wood hounds htm
re yelping on our trail." fore
Walter knew very well that ho would r,t^
e pursued, and the least delay on his &aVl
art might prove fatal; ho spurred his ',is
orseonward while finishing the above relv,
and the nearer he approached the se*sl
tate lino the more eager he was to reach c'10'
. A re-capture ros i with redoubled hor- tauc
>r at every sound that met his car. At ^lC
iiigth the rugged side of Black Mount ?^rtl
ovc in view, though a gloomy sight to Sraj
ovival of hope, lie was animated fey ^
nticipating the joy his heart would expe- of i
icnco ill a few hours; he felt as though f*;ni
lie lovely form of Almetta was really en- Wils
ircled with his enfeebled arms; that the c
^collection of the past would be absorbed ?f 11
i the enjoyment of the future, and life w'u
light yet have for liiin pleasures, which f?rei
ad hitherto been denied by the stern do- mo'
roes of an iron fate. sun
After passing the State line three or lllt(
uir miles, Walter, supposing that his pur- ,lrP
icrs would not follow hi:n further, rode 1 *'
lore leisurely along apparently in a deep 1 10
:udy. What he revolved in his mind
seined to he of a serious and unpleasant Va"
ature, yet ho gave utterance to his '",1!
longhts in tho words as here related: ,uu'
l>t*d
"We are safe now," said he to the
(ountaineer, " and I release you from 81 |
ny obligation that you feel binding you
ritli regard to my safety. I have some- _ r'
, . A . ii .. ... . 1 irrj
img io leu you, respecting my sell that " n~
on never knew ; it is this. If Fortune * '''
oes not avert lie.r smiles, I will this day ^
teet ir?v lady-love, and as soon as my c'''
ealth and strength improve, I will lead
or to tho altar; for this I must in part ^ "
liank vou; henceforth I renounce the w,t
I 'li
arharous lile of a highwayman, and shall 11
nmediately return to my father and tin- mo
lore his forgiveness; however, if we ever *',c
11
oeet again, I hope to r?colleet thai I once
ad a faithful friend, one who jcopardied
his own life for mine, hut I will hanih
from my memory the hateful profes- W(>
ion that linked us together in so foul a
ond of brotherhood."
The Mounta:necr made no reply. His J. '
icart long since seare<| by a familiar
now ledge of assassination ami crime, ,
, , , , , ' the
iithcrlo bad been unmoved even at the f ,
I ?w'
rics of a pleading victim, hut the p?i ring
words of Walter drew tears from his ^
rid eyes. Ho stood motionless, gazing -.
t tho cousins as they rode off, ho would
ihvc gone also, if ho could have given a ^
I re ion to his futuio mode of life. Af- j
.^r they had pissed from his view lie turn- ^y
.1 his horse toward tlio Rock House,
n,a
rli Miec he was never heard of again l?y
>V alter.
The Captain and llarry had now a fair
ipportunity of conversing more par lieu
arlv on their domestic ntTairs. Walter
talced his c ?u*in a thousand iptcst'ioti* mr
ouchtiig the manner his imprisonment
tff.?cted his father, whether he had ever |
ipoken of him with anything like pitcrtal
sympathy, llarry rather evaded a Kr
lirect reply, yet told his cousin, that the ye
>ld gentleman had provided him with ino- dei
toy and a good horse, and had requested tic
tint to gff and learn what ho could conrorttiug
Wulter, that lie had met with a an
>arty at the Blowing jlo<jk, and had fal- ga
an in w ith Mr. Hollers who invited hint on
aomo with hint; he further stated die ac- !at
hdent that happened to tbo young lady, |r
(rho afierwanls informed hint of the rola- on
>J*, . . * J: * ,
is mat existed between herself and hi
sin. Walter listened with attention t<
rry, and almost shuddered when In
him of Mettie's dangerous fall; In
iked his cousin heartily for his care
interference in behalf of the maiden
we residence now was nearly in sight
v shall we paint the scene that oe
ed at the house of Mr. Hollers, wltei
Iter rode up. He threw himself frou
horse and attempted to run up tin
>s, but overcome by emotion as well a:
i x nearly exhausted from the long ride
fell on the door-sill as Mettie utterct
language not to be mistaken, " Ila
ionic ?"
Vhcn Marraton, the great Indian Chief
i vision, visited tiie hunting ground1,
he dead, in search of his beloved Yar
la, he passed from one Elysian bower
nother, which seemed to become inert
rant as lie advanced, until he reached
rest tinged with the various hues of
rainbow, such as appears to the eye
Ic looking lb rough a pristn ; richest
nines filled the air, while a thousand
s variegated with the most brilliant
nage, warbled a melody surpassing all
lan conceptions of music. Beyond tlu
st flowed a river of chrystalline ptt
; lie, almost, in this extatic region,
e up the hope of finding the shade of
loved one on earth, when a phantom
i features of radiant brightness, posing
a voice that vied with the celestial
r lie had just passed, rose in the dis:e
before him beyond the river. Tt was
shade of Yaratilda! With the speed
a arrow he flew toward the spot, and
*ping the apparition in his arms fell insMtVMKwfo.
,
nanhood bad dwindled down"
inate sensitiveness, bis strength bat
ited by repining and the attendant evil
onfincment and care, and thus the jot
nceting his long absent Almctta over
ilmed bis enfeebled system to that de
0 that assistance was necessary tore
vc biin from the place where be hat
k down. Mettie's emotion was no les
use than his; the recollection of pleas
s ]>ast and gone were recalled to hci
id, and her heart glowed afresh with
warmth of enlivened affection.
)amo Hollers, who was now far ad
ced in years, knew that she could nol
y remain with her adopted daughter
1 after calling Walter and Metric toliei
[side she took their hands, and add res
r herself to Walter said :
'The days allotted to me by my Crea
are now approaching their close, tin
it of life with mo will soon ecaso ti
ae. Your design is to marry this niai
i whom 1 have brought up as my own
Id. I cannot prevent it, were I dispo
to object to it, yet as a dying replies
rish you to sustain her through lib
h the same tenderness which you e\
it towards her now. Ytu may lear
re of her origin and the reasons wh
i was left with me. I have told yo
I know of her, and can die with no for
jeing charged with a want of mother!
ention towards her cither in infancy c
manhood."
The old lady would have said more, bi
tore had run its race; the glassy a:
rt of her ey es told that life was ebbin
m the time-worn body. Shewasindee
jorpse. Waller and Mettic gazed o
i scone with the anguish that childrc
I nt the death of their own parent?.
As soon as practicable, Waiter led t
i altar, the object of his love. The Mai
Watauga was now the wife of the onl
n she had ever loved. She consente
visit Lincoln county, where her fathei
I ,w resided, and use her entreaties i
niter's behalf. Accordingly the newl
ariud couple sot out on their journey.
C11A1TBR XIV.
. Ann Mas. KI.VANR.?-THF.irt rA WILY.MK.
r.l.VANB's PROSPERITY.
Irr a former chapter wo bade adieu t
unk and Amelia for a long term ?
Al"S. 1'So pCfiod llHS cl:?p*t?l, Mild U
?ign to introduce llu-m again to the n<
n of the reader.
Frank'* family consWled of two rot
d A daughter. Amelia when not ei
god In flotueVUuig that tended to o*hi
ite her spirit* seemed to he still, St th
e day, to both? subject'of a mclanchi
temperament. If eror naked by an
c, how many daurhtere she had, si
s would pause jis if it were wrong to say
i> one?sometimes she would reply, "One
3 living and one dead it was ever a
a subject tbat she waired as dexteriously
- as possible, either to avoid giving offence
, or to shun a betrayal of of her feelings.
. Frank enjoyed the mirth of the children
lie had he around him, seldom speaking
i of the infant which was born, sub ro*a, ho
i had never seen and could not have the
j feelings of the parent mother.
s He had entered into a copartnership
, with his father, and had erected a large
1 batliing establishment at the Salt Spiings,
s which was the annual resort of invalids
who sulfered from chronic diseases. He
p, had also erected near the Springs a coms
modious inn, fitted up in true Virginia
- style, to which he crave his own ncrmnnl
attendance. Although wealthy he was
> not imbued with that selfish spirit, which
| pronounces a man of business unfit for the
fashionable circle. Ilis hall was contini
ually crowded with guests from all parts
: of the country. His hospitality, and
| complaisance rendered him very popular,
t in truth, he never was forgotten by anr,
| who had once enjoyed his acquaintance,
. Independent of the improvements made
. by Mr. Elvanc, tbero were several salt
manufactories in operation at the Springs
' which produced annually a large quantity
of the saline commodity.
The greater part of North Carolina and
Virginia were supplied from these work,
particular the interior of the States.
This is a digresion, but it is excusable,
as the salt factories tended to atkl impor'
tancc to the place, where his narrative
, will close. It is a station destined to witness
the scenes that reunite long lost
, friends, and drown all the anguish and
I There soon was \d t>c a'living torm 6n uf.it
around, whose existence wus not known,
91 .
. ' whose birth was a mystery to herself, and
' whose life was a scries of romantic incidents.
Here the mystery was to bo solved,
j Here was to be a participation of joy,
never before experienced, an out burst of
ecstacv, too exalted almost for the utmost
r extension of the human heart. If Amelia
( in her youth bad upbraided her own conduct,
she was soon to have greater rcasoo
to thank her Divine Preserver, for sustaining
her through her grief, to the development
of the drama, which began in the
birth of the daughter she had abandoned,
who lived only in the memory of a condemning
conscience*, although this daughter
| was, meanwhile, the lovely and beloved
p I Maid of Watauga, mid at present the
^ ' partner of the reformed alter Van Ilen.
drick, who, like the Prince of Wales, dis(
j banded the crowd of ruffians, whose eom_;
pany had nearly ruined him beyond all
( hope of amelioration. This idea is not
j expressed with a view to l>e understood
as laying down a rule that wickedness can
n be reconciled to the fate of man in every
| form.
" j 1 there be cases where the best of men
have suffered even the agonies of death
v unjustly, there arc parallel instances where
I the wilfully wicked were permitted to csj
cape unwhipped of justice, and revel in
lt 1 the atrocity of their crimes. The errors
which created the subject of the foregoing
g ! Pages? wore rather deeds of accident than
j the effect of a wilful propensity to violate
n 1 the sanctity of law, or to tinge the cheek
i of modesty with an unwelcome blush, and
therefore do not call for that that censure
Q and opprobrium that follow deeds of sheer
^ depravity.
y Mrs. Klvane on a certain evening, with
j her children in the sitting room, was eyr_
ing her I ttle Anna playing with a doll
? which had been pfrceentcd by one of the
( visitors. The tears Were standing in her
; eyes, for at that moment, she was rcvolviug
in her mind, the fate of the little ex j
ile which sixteen years ago was in !i*r
I arms 1 ?1.a -.! ,. .... ? -1- a??
nj>mi wi?5 [ireniuru a*'0
! enred in Feeing lior children nlnyibg n|
round Imr the nr^lnom? tenr would JoUl
U s dominion over her Jnstiiom orbs tbfltonfeo
! beamed Willi tho mont exquieite lovuli- ' ;J
! n<k*,; i^iSj
o' The playful child hrw her mother < *5
Li watching bfef, wiih childish simplicity
e wiahed to attract her attention. Sl?e ap>
proacbed her niolliei and indeed her to
give her a name Cot her doll. Hie fond
i?. mother told her to nanto it hemdf. **Oh,
- rnn r wild ??he, "I don*lknow any name
! prefty'etwnigb. I went it f,e iw^e a nam*
ia like no otbewWs name.">
"If you ?re *o then, "m
>y wrV? r name," *evl the mother.
ie '* I'll call it41 Little $9*,* eft*. Nobody
;
* rm> -.3